Obituary for Lydia Ann Vernaglia (Freitas)
Lydia Ann Freitas Vernaglia
Of Sanibel, Florida and Winchester, Massachusetts at age 78, on July 2, 2021.
Born in Boston and raised in Peabody, Massachusetts to the late Olive (Frye) of Harrington, Maine and Joseph Freitas of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Lydia graduated from Peabody High School and Simmons College where she studied journalism resulting in positions at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cornell Medical School, and Columbia Medical School, where she was the Editor of the American Journal of Immunology.
Survived by her husband of 55 years, Paul A. Vernaglia, MD, sons, Larry and Brian and their wives, Liz and Shannon (all of whom called her “Mom”) and grandchildren John, Marina and Rebecca (all of whom called her “Deamie”). Also survived by nieces, Leah (Norton) and her husband, Bill, and their children, and Ty (Armstrong) Miller and her husband, James. Also survived by her sister-in-law, Mandy, and brother-in-law, John, and his wife, Rosa, and their children, Jane and Drew, and his wife, Lynda, and their families. She touched the lives of so many other relatives as well. In addition to her parents, Lydia was predeceased by her sister, Jane, and her husband, Glenn Armstrong, of Lexington, MA and their son, Scott. She will be missed by many friends in Winchester and on Sanibel Island, Florida.
On Sanibel, and in life, Lydia and Paul were inseparable, cherishing their time together in nature, whether spotting seabirds on the beaches or finding a new trail (and snakes!) through the native plants and trees. Lydia enjoyed making music on the piano, violin and viola (self-taught as an adult), playing duets with Paul, friends, or singing to her grandchildren. Beautiful and folksy pottery, Christmas ornaments and other personal crafts she designed provide warm memories of her around every corner.
Quick with words, a voracious reader (she traded stacks of books with her daughters-in-law), and spunky and irreverent every day, Lydia brought her early career as a writer to her true calling, being a wife, mother and friend. She was the family editor (on her old Smith Corona typewriter), grammarian (often unsolicited), and humorist, making sure the rest of the family didn’t take themselves too seriously. Even when burdened with Alzheimer’s Disease for the past couple of years (of which she never complained), her lively personality and wry sense of humor always showed through. Lydia loved raising her family, and hosted memorable parties, dinners and celebrations. Her well-worn cookbooks and recipes will forever be in service in her children’s kitchens. Her stove always full of cookies and other treats, Lydia passed on her baking skills to Marina and Rebecca, starting at their earliest ages with the annual festival of Christmas cookies. She spun elaborate adventure stories for John, populated with exotic characters like Minnetonka, fairies and other mysterious creatures.
Help us celebrate her long, rich and happy life!
Visiting hours at Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main Street, Winchester, MA (781) 729-2580 on Wednesday July 7th from 4 to 6 o’clock and a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge St, Winchester, MA, on July 8th at 11 o’clock in the morning.
Of Sanibel, Florida and Winchester, Massachusetts at age 78, on July 2, 2021.
Born in Boston and raised in Peabody, Massachusetts to the late Olive (Frye) of Harrington, Maine and Joseph Freitas of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Lydia graduated from Peabody High School and Simmons College where she studied journalism resulting in positions at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cornell Medical School, and Columbia Medical School, where she was the Editor of the American Journal of Immunology.
Survived by her husband of 55 years, Paul A. Vernaglia, MD, sons, Larry and Brian and their wives, Liz and Shannon (all of whom called her “Mom”) and grandchildren John, Marina and Rebecca (all of whom called her “Deamie”). Also survived by nieces, Leah (Norton) and her husband, Bill, and their children, and Ty (Armstrong) Miller and her husband, James. Also survived by her sister-in-law, Mandy, and brother-in-law, John, and his wife, Rosa, and their children, Jane and Drew, and his wife, Lynda, and their families. She touched the lives of so many other relatives as well. In addition to her parents, Lydia was predeceased by her sister, Jane, and her husband, Glenn Armstrong, of Lexington, MA and their son, Scott. She will be missed by many friends in Winchester and on Sanibel Island, Florida.
On Sanibel, and in life, Lydia and Paul were inseparable, cherishing their time together in nature, whether spotting seabirds on the beaches or finding a new trail (and snakes!) through the native plants and trees. Lydia enjoyed making music on the piano, violin and viola (self-taught as an adult), playing duets with Paul, friends, or singing to her grandchildren. Beautiful and folksy pottery, Christmas ornaments and other personal crafts she designed provide warm memories of her around every corner.
Quick with words, a voracious reader (she traded stacks of books with her daughters-in-law), and spunky and irreverent every day, Lydia brought her early career as a writer to her true calling, being a wife, mother and friend. She was the family editor (on her old Smith Corona typewriter), grammarian (often unsolicited), and humorist, making sure the rest of the family didn’t take themselves too seriously. Even when burdened with Alzheimer’s Disease for the past couple of years (of which she never complained), her lively personality and wry sense of humor always showed through. Lydia loved raising her family, and hosted memorable parties, dinners and celebrations. Her well-worn cookbooks and recipes will forever be in service in her children’s kitchens. Her stove always full of cookies and other treats, Lydia passed on her baking skills to Marina and Rebecca, starting at their earliest ages with the annual festival of Christmas cookies. She spun elaborate adventure stories for John, populated with exotic characters like Minnetonka, fairies and other mysterious creatures.
Help us celebrate her long, rich and happy life!
Visiting hours at Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main Street, Winchester, MA (781) 729-2580 on Wednesday July 7th from 4 to 6 o’clock and a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge St, Winchester, MA, on July 8th at 11 o’clock in the morning.